Mobile, Process & Cloud on Dynamics CRM Roadmap

At WPC 2014 in Washington last week, one could not miss the focus on Cloud. Clearly, Microsoft is encouraging partners and users to move toward its Cloud platforms in every way possible. This strategy makes good sense, as in order to compete in an increasingly cloud-focuses business climate, Microsoft must lead the way. At the event, Microsoft announced it that Dynamics CRM Online would be available for Open License this year, which fits in with the general cloud agenda. I was also excited to review the newly released Roadmap for Dynamics CRM, which puts the focus, among other things, on:

Mobile

Process

Social

and better user experience of course. I was curious to compare Microsoft's roadmap for Dynamics CRM with our own roadmap for PNMsoft SCE, which is a solution for Dynamics CRM that enables advanced workflow creation and management:

It turns out that regarding Cloud, Mobile, Process and Social, PNMsoft SCE fares well on all counts. As far as Cloud, SCE provides integration with CRM Online as well as on premises versions. Half of our new customers are cloud / SaaS customers. SCE also includes a Mobile App - Process TO GO, which enables management of workflows via mobile devices. Many clients in 2014 are beginning to actively use the mobile app as part of their line of business activities.

Regarding Process features, the Microsoft roadmap included a summary of the current Dynamics CRM 2013 process additions, which include the ability to create guided Business Process Flows. PNMsoft SCE compliments such features well, adding more advanced capabilities such as:

Dynamic Process Flow

Multiple Threads

Loops

Integration with SharePoint, ERP, etc.

Case Management

Task queuing options

...and additional advanced process functionality. Finally, users can use PNMsoft SCE inside or outside of Dynamics CRM to socially collaborate on CRM workflows via comments, questions and answers - which matches the Social element of the roadmap.

We are encouraged by the fact that Microsoft continues to innovate with new releases planned for Dynamics CRM in 2014, and we too plan to match these new releases with additional features for PNMsoft SCE, especially around Cloud, Mobile, Process and Social.

Meet the Author

About CRM as a Process

CRM as a Process provides tips on Microsoft Dynamics CRM for mid-sized businesses, focusing on the area of business processes and workflow integration. Eli Stutz is Head of Knowledge and Collaboration for PNMsoft, a Microsoft technology-based BPM vendor.

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